HARTFORD, CT - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today joined school administrators and teachers in the East Hartford, Meriden and New London school districts to discuss a collaborative effort announced yesterday that will expand and redesign school calendars for select schools within those three districts in an effort to improve learning for thousands of students. The initiative is slated to begin with the 2013 school year.

Connecticut is one of five states selected to participate in a collaborative effort by state leaders, the Ford Foundation, and the National Center on Time & Learning (NCTL) to develop high-quality and sustainable expanded-time schools. The five selected states will use a mix of federal and state funding to cover the cost of adding 300 hours of instruction and enrichment to the school year in select schools.

“At a time when many other states were cutting funding for local education, Connecticut went in another direction, adding more than $300 million to public schools, much of that designated for struggling districts,” Governor Malloy said. “Our reform bill had a number of objectives. For districts that are succeeding, we want state government to get out of the way. And for districts that are falling behind, we want to give them the ability to implement the reforms that we know achieve results for students. The additional funding we’re announcing today will allow for the intensive turnaround models that will help us close the nation’s largest achievement gap.”

The schools are planning for implementation with a collaborative process beginning that involves the school districts, union leadership, teachers, community partners and parents. The planning process will allow teams to develop an expanded-time schedule that provides a rigorous, well-rounded curriculum for all students; offers individualized help for students who are struggling; uses data and technology to inform and improve instruction; improves collaboration among teachers; provides enrichment opportunities in the arts, music and other areas critical to development; and promotes a culture of high achievement.

Schools in the three districts planning to implement the longer hours include:

EAST HARTFORD

- Thomas S. O’Connell Elementary School

MERIDEN

- Casimir Pulaski Elementary School (implementation began earlier this school year)